Glossary

Paranormal Terms

ABGHS

The American Battlefield Ghost Hunters Society.  A Society of professional and novice ghost hunters who seek to expand and share knowledge of haunted history.  Their website is www.americanbattlefield.com

Anomaly

Generally referring to visual media, an anomaly cannot be explained by science. In the paranormal field it is usually a bright band of energy or an orb that shows up on photos or video recorders.

Apparition

This refers to the form that someone who has passed away will take, very often the deceased will take on the form from their past life.  An apparition can be a residual energy sighting (RES) or a live energy sighting (LES).

Direct Haunting

This occurs when a spirit is actually present and responds to a direct question or interacts with the living by turning lights on or off, moving objects or such activity.  This is also referred to as an Interactive Haunting.

EVP

Electronic Voice Phenomena is the unexplained voices that are sometimes picked up on tape recorders or digital recorders.

Energy

A term used to describe a spirit or ghost.

Ghost

The energy that remains after a person has passed away. This energy is the spirit or soul of a dead person. 

Ghostologist

A term used by ABGHS for a person who is well versed in the areas of hauntings and ghosts.  These ghost hunters have over 500 hours of field investigative and research time.

Ghost Hunter

A person who actively researches and visits haunted sites with the intention to prove or disprove a haunting by using various techniques.  See also Paranormal Investigator.

Hot-spots

A term used to explain an area that has a high level of paranormal activity.

Hunter

The term used by ABGHS members.  A Hunter is a person that has the ability to feel, see or hear ghosts or spirits.  They are vital in assisting the Investigative team in finding hot-spots of paranormal activity.

Imprint

A term used to explain a residual haunting.

Investigative Medium

A term coined by the Wolf Pack’s Medium Laine Crosby.  An Investigative Medium works in the team structure to help the team validate their findings.  This person has exceptional psychic abilities in communicating with those that have passed on.

ISM

Intuitive Science Method is a method of investigating that incorporates the science of an investigation with the psychic intuition of the ghost hunter.  This method of investigation has been developed by Patrick Burke and refined by the ABGHS Wolf Pack team members.

IR/NIR

Infrared (IR) is a type of light that feels warm but cannot be seen.  Near Infrared (NIR) is the shortest wave length on the infrared light spectrum. Some cameras and camcorders have an NIR optical system that shows images clearly even at night. 

LAD

Life After Death

LES

Live Energy Sighting, also referred to as a Direct Interaction

NPS

National Park Service

Orb

Often spherical in nature, an orb is believed to be the easiest form for a soul to travel.  It can be a variety of colors.

Paranormal Event

The activity associated with a haunting that cannot be explained by standard definitions - that which is outside the normal definition of reality.

Paranormal  Investigator

A person who approaches a possible haunting using a scientific method of investigation to explain the haunting. See also Ghost Hunters.

Paranormal Myst

This is swirling energy that resembles fog illuminated by light.  Paranormal Myst has been captured in still photos and video. It  is usually white and luminous in nature, although occasionally it is red.

Protocol

The list of rules that governs a given group or society.

Ribbon

A ribbon is thought to be one of two things: an orb in flight or the first sign of a vortex forming.

RES

A Residual Energy Sighting is much like a computer program that is looped and plays over and over.

Science Officer

The Science Officer ensures that the investigation is carried out using a scientific method and that the required equipment is on hand and working during an investigation. 

Sensitive

A person who can see, hear, or feel those who have passed on.  Some sensitives are so “tuned-in” to the ghosts or spirits that they can have an ongoing conversation with them.

Spirit

A person who has passed away and crossed-over, but chooses to come back and visit people or places.

Team  Leader

This person provides the direction for the investigation. The Team Leader should be sure that all of the team members are active in the research and planning of the investigation, and that each member knows their position on the team.  During the investigation, the Team Leader determines, after input from the other team members, what action should be taken.

Wolf Pack

The Wolf Pack is the ABGHS’ core group of instructors composed of experienced military personnel, scientists, historians, mediums, and ghostologists utilizing the latest cutting-edge technology to identify and document paranormal activity. 

VEP

Video Electronic Phenomena is the term used to describe paranormal events captured by a camcorder or video recorder.

Vortex

A vortex is a high-energy signature that is a precursor to paranormal activity.  The energy surge makes it easier for the ghost to manifest its presence. Most vortices are circular or whirling in motion.